V Disc Years Vol's 1 & 2

The band Woody Herman led between 1944 and 1947, known as the First Herd, was a wonderfully boisterous and whole-hearted affair. It boasted such fine and highly individual soloists as trombonist Bill Harris, tenor saxophonist Flip Phillips and trumpeter Pete Candoli. Arranger-composers Ralph Burns and Neal Hefti were also on the strength. During these years, too, the US Government's V-Disc label, providing recorded music to the armed forces, was in full production and Herman proved a great favourite with the troops. This double CD pack presents the band in full, together with associated small groups and guest artists, playing versions of their favourite numbers ("Apple Honey", "Blowin' Up A Storm", "Happiness Is Just A Thing Called Joe") plus a number of jazz standards. There is material taken from live concerts, radio shows and even the soundtrack of a Hollywood film. It all adds up to a rich selection from the working repertoire of a great band, much of it recorded away from the inhibiting atmosphere of the studio. --Dave Gelly

Label: Unknown
Studio: Hep
Format: Audio CD